Former Green vies for Austria's presidency

Share this article

Fans affectionally call him "the professor" or "Sascha", a nickname for Alexander that nods to his Russian roots, while his critics decry him as a "green dictator".

Instead of healing Austria's political rift, Alexander Van der Bellen has proved as divisive a figure in the country's marathon presidential race as his far-right rival Norbert Hofer of the Freedom Party (FPOe).

The former Greens party leader, now running as an independent, has struggled to convince many conservative voters who have accused him of pandering to the left.

Hofer has seized upon the sentiment and repeatedly denounced his adversary as a "communist" or even a Cold War spy for the Soviet Union -- claims Van der Bellen dismissed as "ridiculous".

Back in May, the pro-European liberal nonetheless managed to beat Hofer by a paper-thin margin in the run-off, which was then annulled over procedural irregularities.

It remains to be seen whether Van der Bellen can once again mobilise enough supporters to swing the vote in his favour in Sunday's re-run of the vote.

At 72, the grey-haired economics professor often cuts a wooden and somewhat dishevelled figure next to the smooth-talking gun enthusiast Hofer, 45.

If "Hofer is the offensive attacker who knows he can only score if he's not too aggressive, Van der Bellen comes across as a nice, older gentleman," political expert Peter Hajek said.

This has been Van der Bellen's main selling point to try and sway undecided Austrians.

"I ask all those who don't like me but perhaps like Hofer even less to vote for me," he said earlier this year.

"I don't want that Austria becomes the first country in western Europe led by a populist right-wing, pan-Germanic fraternity member."

'Green dictator'

Van der Bellen was born during World War II in Vienna to an aristocratic Russian father and an Estonian mother who fled Stalinism.

The arrival of the Red Army a year later forced the family to escape to the southern state of Tyrol, where Van der Bellen spent an "idyllic childhood".

He studied economics at the University of Innsbruck and finished his PhD in 1970 before going on to become dean of economics at the University of Vienna.

Van der Bellen's trademark professorial manner has often riled Hofer.

"I'm talking about Europe: E-U-R-O-P-E. Never heard of it?" Van der Bellen taunted his opponent during a TV duel.

From our sponsors

A full-time job shouldn't stop you from satisfying your wanderlust. The Local spoke to Travel After 5 blogger Alline Waldhelm to find out her tips and tricks for travellers who only have 25 days of annual leave.